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7.12.2017

Dear Jackson //Thirteen + Fourteen Months

Dear Jackson,

I thought I was done writing these letters to you. My goal was to write you letters for a year but I want to remember. I know parents say they will never forget but oh man, your momma is super forgetful and needs to write everything down. Just ask your Dad, I can't remember any of our dating history so here I go again. I will write you letters when there are things I want to remember.

Right now, you are in the must fun stage. From the moment you wake up to the moment to fall asleep you are moving (and moving fast) and exploring the world. You won't sit still. This makes my momma heart sad sometimes because I just try to snuggle you or hold you for a bit but oh no you have to see and experience the world. I can actually watch your brain working as you open and close doors and touch and feel everything. You live in wonder and I just adore watching you learn and experience this world. Speaking of opening and closing doors this is something that I want to remember. You are obsessed with doors. We rented a cottage with the Hockney family in early June and there were 6 doors on the main floor and you were in love. You walked around in circles just closing the doors and then asking for them to be open.

You are still obsessed with the vacuum. I think the vacuum and the vacuum stick is still your favourite toy. The first thing you do when you come home from childcare is look for the vacuum. You also love looking in the pots and pans. If anyone is cooking anything on the stove or running water/doing dishes you need to be held. You must supervise all of these tasks or else you throw a fit. And boy can you throw a temper tantrum. You scream pretty loud when you get frustrated and can't see what we are cooking. It is cute but also super difficult to get anything done. Normally one of us is doing the dishes and the other is holding you up right beside watching the whole time. Productivity isn't at an all time high but hey this is parenthood!

You are still sleeping great! After a rough start in life you go to bed anywhere between 7-8pm and sleep anywhere from 5:30-6:45am. You also still do two naps about 1 hour in length each time.

Everyone comments on how little you are! Most people call you a "little man" and I couldn't agree more. You are tiny. You don't have chunky legs or rolls on end. You are petite and I am so in love with you and the tiny baby you are. I have no problems with you as my little man. You haven't hit 20 pounds yet but you do eat so much. I think you just can't gain weight because you move non stop all the time. I tried to weigh you this week and you were 18 pounds.

You love your blanky and have started carrying it around with you.

You also love reading books now. You will go grab them from your room and carry them around and pretend to read them, it is just awesome.

I can talk you normally now and you will understand. It blows my mind at how children grow up and learn and having a front row seat on your sweet life is the best gift. You get things now and learn new things everyday. I will go tell you to brush you hair and you will find a hairbrush and start brushing your hair and then come and brush mine!!! It blows my mind- how do you know what a hairbrush is and how do you remember where I last put it? And how do you know it goes on your head and then to come to my head? You understand so many words and it is a really cool season being able to talk to you like an adult and have you understand.

You eat OK. You decide what you want to eat and whine when we do not get your food fast enough. You love eggs, mangos, raspberries and homemade mac n cheese. You do not like meat. The only meat you will eat is bacon and well that doesn't really count as meat.

You love going for walks anytime but your Daddy and I try to take you for walks most evenings where we process our days and try not to talk about work. You talk to yourself and babble along super happy and content with life. You also adore the park. You love love watching people and the slide is one of your favourite activities. You also discovered the sand box at the park and that has been a game changer. You get super dirty but I'm all for a bit of germs and dirt.

You are doing great at childcare and love going to your Grandma's and Grammie's + Pappa's house. You are one lucky boy to have your grandparents taking care of you. I know this may not be for forever but am cherishing this season. You do so well and love going to their houses bu it's been really tough on me. I want to be the one teaching you everything and seeing you do all your things. I know that that isn't possible and its good to see Momma work but the mom guilt is a real thing.

Jackson, you have a personality that is so caring, so curious and you are so determined. You love people and love your family so much. You are such a sweet boy the way you blow kisses and wave at everyone you see. What a complete JOY it is to be able to be your Momma. There honestly isn't a day where I don't thank Jesus out loud of his goodness but entrusting you to be for such a time as this. I know we are only on this earth for such a short time compared to eternity but you are my greatest earthly gift and I am so thankful for the opportunity to love you like Jesus and point you towards him. He is the very best.